Often mistaken for a Labradoodle, the Barbet is a medium-sized French water dog whose name comes from the word barbe, which fittingly translates to "beard." Breeders Northrock Barbets in Toronto, Canada, note that "many Barbet owners who are normally allergic to dogs find that they can live quite comfortably with their Barbet."

Also known as "Yorkies," they were bred in Yorkshire, England, to catch rats in clothing mills back in the 1800s. Though these little fellas don't shed much, they do love to bark! As the AKC points out, "Yorkies are long-lived and low-allergen (the coat is more like human hair than animal fur), and they make fine little watchdogs."

While they're not totally hypoallergenic, these refined pups shed so minimally, it's almost inconsequential—though they do need to be groomed every four to six weeks to preserve their fabulousness. "Beneath the curly, low-allergen coat is an elegant athlete and companion for all reasons and seasons," according to the AKC.

This is another toy dog, one whose name in French translates to "curly lap dog." "The breed's glory is a white hypoallergenic coat, plush and velvety to the touch," the AKC points out.

Havanese, the national dog of Cuba, is actually a shortened version of its full name, Blanquito de la Habana ("little white dog of Havana"). They're also often described as "velcro dogs" for the close proximity they tend to keep to their humans, but that's likely not a problem, even for those with allergies, since these pups shed very little.

You might recognize this as the breed owned by Jack Nicholson's character in As Good As It Gets. It's no wonder that a seemingly arrogant but ultimately kind-hearted, hypoallergenic dog would be the best possible companion for the ingenious germaphobe.

This breed is intelligent, adorable, and relatively shed-free. What's not to love? "Scotties have hair that continues to grow longer and longer over time. While this means that you may have to regularly groom your pet, you don't have to worry about your dog shedding fur everywhere around your home," the breeders of Southern Scotties in Amite, Louisiana, explain on their website. "This reduces the amount of allergy attacks that can happen and makes your home a friendlier environment for people who do suffer from pet allergies."

The Chinese Crested comes in two forms: the Powderpuff (which has fur) and the Hairless (which does not). While they are both hypoallergenic, their skin requires a certain amount of care to protect it from acne, dryness, and sunburn.

This breed's name means "cow-herder of Flandres" in French, as these dogs were once used to work the farmlands of what is now Belgium. According to Orvis' dog encyclopedia, "Bouviers are among the largest of the hypoallergenic breeds. Their rough coats don't shed heavily and, as a result, pet dander is less abundant in your home. Regular grooming of your Bouvier can further minimize pet dander." Fun fact: These loyal and hardworking pups served as ambulance and messenger dogs in World War I.

These aristocratic pups' hair might be better than yours. Though Afghan hounds do require being bathed and brushed twice a week, the AKC lists them among their top hypoallergenic dog breeds.

Also known as the "Hungarian sheepdog" or "mop dog," this breed is characterized by a long, corded coat that doesn't shed but does need a lot of maintenance. Still, according to the Komondor Club of America, "Komondors are a good breed for those who have allergies to dog hair and dander."

They were originally bred in England and Scotland to chase rats or hunt down foxes and other small animals. In addition to having a a wiry, hypoallergenic coat that hardly sheds, they don't drool and have very little dandruff, so they're a great option for people with allergies.

These dogs were once used by Tibetan monks in monasteries to warn them of any potential intruders. So not only are they hypoallergenic, they're also born to be some very fancy-looking guard dogs. And because Lhasa Apsos don't shed much, "there will be less dog fluff in the environment," writes longtime Lhasa Apso owner Anthony Bettell on his website. "Less fluff floating around will mean lower chances of allergens in the air, reducing the risk of you or friends getting allergic symptoms."

Source: BestLife, Galvanized Media